Hall rescues Northants on Day Two

Former South Africa all-rounder Andrew Hall struck his first century in two years on the second day of Division Two leaders Northamptonshire's LV= County Championship match against Leicestershire.

Hall's superb knock of 113 helped Northants to a total of 355 with Rob Newton contributing 81 from 150 deliveries.

Ollie Freckingham was easily the pick of Leicestershire's bowlers in taking 6-125 before the visitors closed on 89 for one having lost wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien.

Northants began the day on 91 for four with Newton resuming on 22 and ex-captain Hall 12.

The former comfortably went past 50 for the first time this season via a four smacked through backward point off Robbie Williams.

Hall also completed his first half-century of the campaign as the fifth-wicket pair reversed the damage done by the cheap wickets their side lost yesterday.

They eased Northants to 205 for four at lunch, but Newton was to depart in the second over of the afternoon when he was well taken at slip by Leicestershire captain Ramnaresh Sarwan off Jigar Naik.

That broke a terrific stand of 143, but it did not take Naik long to claim another victim when he trapped Rob Keogh lbw for eight.

Northants wicketkeeper Ben Duckett, who is making his first-class debut, then walked on five having edged Freckingham's wide delivery to West Indies international Sarwan at first slip.

But Hall went on to complete his 13th first-class ton and first since May 2011 against Kent at Canterbury.

There was still enough time before tea for David Willey to race to 50 off 51 deliveries with Northants well-placed at the break.

Hall's brilliant innings finally ended when he was bowled by Freckingham, who then completed the first five-wicket haul of his professional career as Steven Crook was taken by Naik at gully.

Freckingham then ended Northants' innings when Willey smashed him to Josh Cobb at mid-on after making a career-best 77 off just 76 balls.

O'Brien was given a reprieve having compiled eight when he was dropped by Duckett off Trent Copeland but, after a brief rain delay, the Australian got his revenge as the wicketkeeper atoned for that error.

Greg Smith and Ned Eckersley saw out the remaining seven overs, though, and will resume tomorrow on 36 and 16 respectively.